Okee-Tantie Recreation Area

Lake Okeechobee is the second largest lake in the contiguous United States, with outstanding birding, and wildlife watching opportunities. Okee-Tantie Recreation Area on the east side of the Kissimmee River (C-38 canal) and Jaycee Park are two of the limited number of locations where you can actually see and experience the lake from shore. Wood Storks are regularly spotted, and scattered patches of trees throughout the site and along the edges host woodpeckers and songbirds. From the easternmost point, you can scope the lake for ducks and observe a Great Blue Heron rookery. A boat launch enables you to venture out onto the lake, where you can observe gulls, terns, shorebirds on the islands and sandbars and Least Bitterns hiding in the vegetation. Ospreys, Bald Eagles and the occasional Peregrine Falcon (winter) can be seen over the lake. Snail Kites are sometimes seen hunting near Okee-Tantie. This site has a restaurant, large campground and marina with plenty of fishing boat activity, and visitor use can be high at times (plan accordingly). The 110-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST), part of the Florida National Scenic Trail system, provides foot and bicycle access to the recreation area from Jaycee Park.